Spurrier enjoys Gamecocks' ho-hum return to top 10

Tuesday

Oct 15, 2013 at 10:48 PM

Flying under the national radar is just fine, according to South Carolina's head coach

By MATT CONNOLLYmatthew.connolly@shj.com

COLUMBIA — South Carolina’s jump back into the top 10 after a 52-7 win over Arkansas last Saturday was a quiet one. That is fine with USC coach Steve Spurrier, who sees it as a sign of how much the program has grown that his Gamecocks, who are No. 9 in the USA Today Coaches Poll, can break into the top 10 without creating much of a buzz.“I noticed we’re in the top 10 in the Coaches Poll, and I don’t think any of y’all have written about that,” Spurrier said during his press conference on Tuesday. “I like that. Guess what, we’re back in the top 10, no big deal. Hopefully we’re going to try to stay there. Quietly we jumped back in there, and I thought it was sort of neat.”The Gamecocks — ranked No. 11 by The Associated Press — have climbed back into the race for the SEC East title, but most national headlines involving USC are ones speaking negatively about defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. Spurrier said his team is fine with not receiving much praise.“We’re not worried about attention,” he said. “We’ll get attention as we go through and maybe when it’s all over. I think having a wonderful season is a lot more important to them than how much attention they get.”Next up for the Gamecocks is a game at Tennessee on Saturday in Neyland Stadium, the largest facility in the SEC. Spurrier said playing at Neyland presents a tough challenge.“It’s always fun for our team to go to the largest stadium and play a team with the tradition of Tennessee,” Spurrier said. “Tennessee is a team that has lost to three really good teams, Florida, Georgia and Oregon, and they beat three teams that they were supposed to beat, I guess. It’s a huge game, division game, conference game and all of that. Hopefully we should be ready to play.”The Gamecocks will get receiver Shaq Roland back on Saturday after a three-game suspension for violating university policy. But fellow wideout Bruce Ellington could miss the game with a foot injury, according to Spurrier.“Hopefully Bruce Ellington will be back. He had his foot in one of those boots yesterday,” Spurrier said. “He sort of strained the top of his foot I think when he caught that slant pass towards the end of the first half against Arkansas. We’ll wait and see how Bruce can run.”USC also could be without starting right guard Ronald Patrick, who injured his ankle against Arkansas and is doubtful. Backup running back Brandon Wilds is still out with a shoulder injury.Spurrier said Chaz Elder, who started at safety against Arkansas, suffered a concussion and is questionable for the Tennessee game.Linebacker Skai Moore also suffered a slight concussion, but is expected to play Saturday. Spurrier said none of the injuries are considered serious enough to keep the players out for the remainder of the season.“Overall we’re very healthy at this time,” he said.